HC Deb 24 November 1975 vol 901 cc38-40W
Mr. MacCormick

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what was the initially projected contractors' costs of preparing the platform building site at Portavadie; and what are the contractors' costs incurred to date.

Mr. John Smith

The initially projected contractors' costs of that part of the platform building site at Portavadie which the Government are financing was £11.6 million. The contractors' costs incurred to date are £9.6 million.

Mr. MacCormick

asked the Secretary of State for Energy when it is projected that the prepartion of the platform building site at Portavadie will be complete; whether the completion date will be within the timetable originally laid down; and what by then will be the total of contractors' costs involved.

Mr. John Smith

The estimated completion dates are:

  • Dock Phase 1—2nd November 1975 (Actual)
  • Dock Phase 2—28th November 1975
  • Dock Ancillary Works—22nd February 1976
  • Village—8th February 1976

The original timetable was:

  • Dock Phase 1—18th August 1975
  • Dock Phase 2—10th Novemberl975
  • Dock Ancillary Works—24th November 1975
  • Village—26th January 1976

The estimated total cost of site development is £12.5 million.

Mr. MacCormick

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make an estimate of the size of the work force necessary to build a caisson gate at the platform building site at Portavadie.

Mr. John Smith

On the basis that it would take nine months to build a caisson gate the contractor's estimate of the size of the work force required is 72.5 man-years, with a peak work force of about 13 man-years.

Mr. MacCormick

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the total amount of time lost on the preparation of the platform building site at Portavadie through industrial disputes.

Mr. John Smith

Nil.

Mr. MacCormick

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what alternative uses for the platform building site at Portavadie have been considered.

Mr. John Smith

A preliminary study has indicated that the site could be converted into a ship repair yard suitable for large semi-submersibles, Derrick barges, pipe laying and Bury barges.

Mr. MacCormick

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many of the work force at present employed at the platform building site at Portavadie are from (a) Argyll and Bute district and (b) the rest of Strathclyde Region; and what percentage of the total workforce on the site (a) and (b), respectively, represent.

Mr. John Smith

The figures are:

(a) Argyll and Bute District 206 (42%)
(b) Rest of Strathclyde Region 142 (29%)

Mr. MacCormick

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of the work force in Cowal and Kintyre is employed at present on the platform building site at Portavadie.

Mr. John Smith

Approximately 1.6 per cent.